Babes cracks me up

This is how our conversation went today at our favorite coffee shop.  Where she eats a "doodle" which is a Snickerdoodle cookie and I drink a Boba tea.  We were sitting that the table and she was looking out the window. 

Babes:  Look Mama a woof (dog)
Me:  Oh yah Babes he is so cute
Babes:  Where's woof's Mommy
Me:  I don't know Babes there's woof's Daddy getting coffee
Babes:  Look Mama that woof has a big mouth like you
Me:  What Babes?  (as I am cracking up)
Babes:  (Like I am hard of hearing)  Mama that woof has a big mouth like you (using hand gestures) not a little mouth like me (pointing to her mouth and using her tiny fingers) 

At this point I was laughing so hard I could hardly contain myself.  Babes I love you and they way you see the world is priceless. 


Although Babes is pretty much potty trained our potty adventures continue.  Today at the playground I found her hiding under a tree that I call her poop tree since almost every time we go to this park she goes under this tree and poops.  Well since she no longer wears diapers the poop tree is my nightmare.  As she was "playing" under the tree I was sure she needed to poop although she kept telling me she needed privacy and she was hiding from a baby who wanted her car.  Both explanations did not fly with me and I hounded her until she finally came out from under the tree telling me she needed to use the potty.  So we headed back to our favorite coffee shop across the street to use their potty.  As we entered the full coffee shop with only one bathroom I was a bit worried.  As we entered the bathroom and as she was sitting on the potty she told me she needed privacy.  Well since I am not about to leave her unattended in a single stall bathroom we agree that turning my back will give her the privacy needed.  At home she manages her business in about a 1 minute but for some reason in public restrooms where other people are waiting she needs a good 10 plus minutes.   So as I am standing with my back to her for 10 plus minutes and multiple people come to the door I keep asking her is she is done and every time I turn around she reminds me she needs privacy.  Well about 5 minutes in she begins singing several of her favorite songs as she dangles her feet and finishes her business.  When we hit 10 minutes I told her she was done because other people needed the potty.  When we finally left the potty and had to walk into the crowded room of people waiting for the only potty in the place I put my head down and walked out as quickly as possible because honestly what was I going to say sorry that took so long everyone my 2 year old needed to poop.  Also who is going to believe that this tiny little blonde haired blue eyed beauty would need that long in a bathroom so that would only leave one explanation right her Mama needed that long in the bathroom and is blaming it on her toddler, nice. Hence I put my head down and walked out as quick as possible.  This is not the first time this has happened but at least the other times she was in a multiple stall bathroom so people at least had options.  I am not sure what she loves about public restrooms but honestly I think she would sit there all day if I let her.


Babes has begun a new thing that makes my blood boil.  If you are talking to her and she does not like what you are saying she will turn her back to you and cross her arms.  The worst part is if you walk around to the front of her to continue what you are saying she will just keep turning keeping her back to you.  Well needless to say she has been in a lot of trouble for this particular gesture of her independence and defiance.

Babes you are awesome.  You make me laugh so many times in a day and I am so glad God gave you to me.  I love you my dear sweet Babes McGee, ALL OF YOU!

At peace with the Mother I am

The past few weeks have been filled with a sense of peaceful contentment.  I am grateful for these times in life when you breathe deep and rest easy.  Yesterday was another one of those days and it struck me so deeply that I want to remember it.  I was a chaperon for Symeon's preschool class to the Children's Museum and I was so glad I was able to go.  Babes stayed home with her Daddy for a date morning so she was really happy when Symeon and I left for school.  We all got ready with special tee shirts, bathroom trips, and then off to the little bus which I think riding it was the highlight of the trip for Symeon.  I helped get everyone buckled in, handed out snacks, sang songs, and chatted with the little girls sitting around me.  When we arrived at the museum I was assigned 3 boys one being Symeon and two others.  One of the others is the handful of the class but we got along just fine no problems.  I guess I am my Mother's daughter since every field trip she went on her group was made up of the most difficult boys in my class and they always begged to be in her group.  She just had a way with them and I guess she passed that along because by the end of the day he was holding my hand.  Overall a really sweet kid who just needed some attention. 

When we went in we had so much fun climbing through tunnels in the jungle, chasing one another, playing in the bubble room where everyone was covered in bubbles, and Symeon stepped in a tray of bubbles up to his knee but it was such fun so who cared.  Then we painted and did dress up and enjoyed ourselves.  I loved every minute of it and as I looked around and the other Mother's were standing around talking and not playing I thought I am the Mother I want to be.  (No judgment toward the other Mother's who were chaperoning they were doing what they were comfortable with and I was doing the same.)  I love to play with my kids and with Symeon's class.  They were a great group of kids and Symeon has an awesome teacher who was great with them.  I played, I laughed, I encouraged, I hugged when someone cried, and I loved every minute of it.

I was also able to see Symeon in his element in his environment and I was so proud of him.  I realized that not only am I the Mother I want to be I am also raising my child they way I want him to be raised.  He was polite, caring, confident, and respectful.  He laughed easily, shared and was willing to get dirty.  He climbed,  helped his classmates, and enjoyed the adventure.  As I stepped back and watched him negotiate his world I was struck once again by what an amazing child I have been blessed with to raise.  I think I was struck with how willing he was to do his own thing without needing others to go along with him.  He was confident and his teacher often tells me Symeon is confident in what he likes and does not like and that is true.  He was able to play in groups and with other kids well yet if they began to act up in a way he was not comfortable with he walked away.  He was amazing and I was in awe of him and the little person he is becoming. 

I am at peace with the Mother I am and the son I am raising thanks be to God. 

Butterfly Pavilion

Last week we went to the Butterfly Pavilion with a friend and we had such a great time.  The kids really enjoyed the butterflies and the small zip line.  I think they enjoyed the zip line even more oh the thrill.  I only took a few pictures but here they are enjoying the butterflies. 

 Here is how you are greeted when you pull up.  The kids loved it!

 Here they are with one of their best buddies Sophia.  

 Looking for some butterflies.  

 Babes showing off her new haircut which I might say is so cute it is silly.  It fits her so well and we have no more morning fights over her hair which is good for the whole family. 

 Keeping a close eye on a butter fly they found 

Here's the picture Symeon took of the butterfly, beautiful

Mama I Robot

Here's Babes being a robot with a creative costume!

Conversation this morning...

Shawn and I joke around that we really don't enjoy Sunday mornings because we are trying to get to church on time with no meltdowns.  In general we do a pretty good job but this morning was full of lots of not so great parent moments but in the midst of it Symeon cracked me up.  He told me yesterday that he really wanted to wear a tie to church the next day so I agreed, fun I thought he is so cute in his little ties.  Well this morning I busted out a cute pink long sleeve shirt and a pale blue tie super cute except to him.  He told me very directly that he did not like the pink shirt because it was a girl's shirt and  that he was not comfortable wearing it.  I said fine and we compromised with a blue and green shirt and an orange tie still super cute.  As the morning continued Symeon got in trouble so he decided he did not want to go to church well I put an end to that and told him he was going to church.  So in his upset state he declares that he is not going to wear a tie to church which was fine with me.  Well we made it through those moments so end of story so I think.  Well when I was doing Babes hair and I added a cute little blue flower to the side of her head Symeon asked to have one and so I handed him the flower clip and he clipped it in the front of his head right in the middle.  Now mind you it was bright pink with white polka dots and about the size of half dollar right in the middle of his head. 

At this point Babes had already removed her hair clip since she hates them but not Symeon he wore it right through church even to the front of the building for the children's sermon.  It brought a lot of smiles to people and when one kid asked him why he had a flower in his hair I was proud of him when he said because I felt like wearing it today full of confidence. 

I do hope the irony is not lost in the story you see he would not wear a pink  long sleeve oxford shirt because it was a  "girls" shirt but he was more than eager to wear a bright pink flower on his head for most of the day oh the irony of it all struck me as so funy.  .   

Potty Training

DONE! Babes decided about 3 weeks ago that she did not want to wear diapers or pull-ups anymore.  I was in my take a brake mode and I had not mentioned it in a few days.  I was about to put on her pull-up when she said I no wear dose anymore Mama I am big girl dose for babies.  I said okay and we put on her big girl undies and she has never looked back.  We still have our struggles when she "has" to use the potty especially when she is having fun playing but really she has done a great job.  I guess true to her nature when she was ready she was ready and she was not about to pee in that potty one minute before she was ready.  You think I would know by now to let her have her process she is just like me in that respect.  Once I decide to do something that's it I will do it but it might take me a while to come to the place where I am ready.  She did such a great job and this was time when she was ready and it was easy.  I love you Babes you are a strong beautiful little girl and I look forward to seeing how God will use that determination, strength, and spirit in your life. I love you! 

Traps, traps galore

Symeon loves to use bungee cords to set traps all over the house.  He often blocks the stairs or the door to his room or my dresser drawers.  He loves to prank people as well so tying up someone's drawers is right up his ally.  Here a few pictures of some of his traps being set around the house with his cute side kick Babes McGee.  I love his creativity!  I swear give the kid some tape and a few bungee cords and he is good to go for the day. 

 

"Hmm what else could we do brother?"  I love their outfits on this day Symeon wanted Marin to wear his clothes and she was happy to oblige and Symeon wanted to put on that green shirt which did not look comfortable but he was happy.

Daylight Savings Time

I must lament daylight savings since it brings the dark so much earlier that I often feel like going to bed at 9 instead of much usual later hour.  I also miss the days when the extra hour of sleep was really an extra hour of sleep instead of a week of really poor sleep and very early wake-up calls.  Marin has always struggled with daylight saving time and this past week was no different except this year she was cutting the final two points of her top two molars which were painful.  She cut 2 bottom molars without us even knowing but these second halves of the top two have been terrible.  I felt so bad for her and when she cuts teeth she is up early both my kids were like that so by 5 they would be up for the day well combine that with daylight savings time struggles and it has been a week of 4 and 5 am wake-up calls that had us up for the day. 

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a morning person and to be honest there were a few really early mornings that I put on a show for her and laid on the couch and slept all cuddle together which was really fun to be honest.  I have enjoyed my early morning quiet time with her but after several days of 4 and 5 hours of sleep I was near my wits end and then during the day she was struggling with pain and lack of sleep.  I am really glad last week is over and I am praying this week brings some relief for us all. 

I don't have any pictures from the week because honestly it was full of one or all of us crying at some point.  I have high hopes we are headed into a better week and I am committed to going to bed much earlier so that I am a better mother and person when I rise from my bed regardless of the time. 

Snow Day

Last week had our first snow day and no matter how old I am snow days rock, I love them.  We thoroughly enjoyed ours the kids were in there pj's a good part of the day and it was just fun.  I had stuff I wanted to get done but honestly it is like my brain will not function and I just have fun like when I was a kid.  Here is our great day!

 We started our day with a little tv and breakfast

 on the couch a special treat.  

  A heavy wet snow that stuck to everything.  

 Making honey whole wheat bread in our pj's 

 Dressed in our snow gear and ready to shovel 

 Marin might have eaten more snow than she shoveled.  Every time I turned around she was shoveling it in her mouth.  She continues to eat snow everywhere we go in parking lots, off the car while she is in her car seat she rolls down the window and sticks her and out, and finally the grossest of all off the bottom of her snow boat.  I turned around in the car the other day and saw her licking the bottom of her boot.  We have discussed clean and dirty snow but nothing seems to stop her.  

 My hard workers shoveling our neighbors walk for her.  They are so sweet and love to help.  

 Our warm bread right out of the oven with homemade grape jelly from our neighbor.  We supplied the grapes from our yard and they gave us the jelly I think we got the better end of that deal.  It is so good!

 We made ghost lollipops for Symeon to hand out at school they were so much fun.  

 The finished product

 Then we made brownies

 Next we carved our pumpkins.  Ghosts for Symeon and a spider for Marin

We ended our day with Lil Kickers because by that time the roads were fine and we were ready to stretch our legs. 

 Here's Marin and Shawn celebrating her goal!  Awesome!

Here's Symeon about to score a goal.  

We had such a fun day together!  Snow days gotta love them!

Happy Halloween

We had a fun Halloween a party at Symeon's school, trick or treating in our neighborhood with friends, dinner with those same friends, and finally a stop to see other friends and help pass out candy at their house.  The kids had a great time in their community.  We are not sure if they liked getting candy more or passing it out more?  Symeon was Fireman Sam, a cartoon from England in case you are wondering, I had to make his costume since it is almost impossible to find anything Fireman Sam in the US. He looked just like him although right before it was time to put on his costume he said he didn't want to be Fireman Sam after nights of working on the costume I had to have Shawn address him.  After some time to think about it he decided being Fireman Sam was a good idea.  Marin was Cinderella of course.  She was so cute and super happy.  She already had the costume from her birthday so we added a wand because she wanted one and sparkly sneakers as the glass slippers.  She was so sweet and so excited.

 Rella and Fireman Sam

 Symeon's new thing is to close his eyes when you try to take his picture.

 My sweet Cinderella she was so cute!

 Just waiting for Dad to get started.  You see Symeon's yellow pants I looked everywhere for yellow pants and could not find them.  Then I tried to dye a pair yellow and they turned green. Finally I decided to cover a pair sweat pants in yellow duct tape.   They came out so good and honestly they have every color duct tape these days so it could work for anything.  Just a hint don't put the tape around the top of the pants or else they can't get them on.  The tape also comes right off so the pants are fine.  

 First house our neighbor she gave them full size candy way to set the bar high.  After this first house they were ready to go although we still had time to wait. 

 A healthy snack before we begin.  I also gave Babes a plate full of vegetable and Humus for lunch.  

 Trunk or Treat at Symeon's school such fun!

 This little girl loved that her and Marin were both Cinderella so they hung out for awhile.  

 Symeon with his preschool teacher Miss Kristina she is so great.  

 Our friends little boy was such a cute cow

 Symeon and his buddy Aidan

 The trick or treating mob!  They were all so sweet with please and thank you's 

 Marin and her buddy  from church

 Babes making her way to the next house.  

  I didn't want Babes to trip over her dress so I showed her to hold it up when she went up and down the stairs so cute a true princess in the making!

I forgot to take pictures at our friend's house when they were giving out candy they loved it.  They would stand on the porch yelling "people come over here."  They were sad to see it end it was a fun night for us all.